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The Texas Historical Commission Library

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) Library holdings are divided into four main areas: museum studies, archeology, state and local history, and historic preservation and architecture. Two of the library's most significant resources include the agency's historical marker files, which number about 15,500, and a file collection of the state's more than 3,100 National Register sites. Notable library resources include:

History of the Gethsemane Lutheran Church Building

The historic brick church shares a unique kinship with the Texas Capitol. Much of the handmade brick, limestone, and timber of the Gethsemane Lutheran Church was salvaged by congregation members in 1882 from a pile of rubble at the head of Congress Avenue.

After completing most of the work themselves, congregation members held their first service in the new sanctuary in 1883. The last service in the church took place in 1961, and soon after, the State of Texas purchased the property to expand the Capitol office complex. The historic structure was originally slated for demolition but was saved after an outcry from local preservationists and congregation members. In 1969, the state legislature deeded the church to the THC.

The library is located at 1510 N. Congress Ave. in downtown Austin on the corner of W. 16th St. and N. Congress Ave., one block north of the State Capitol.